Page 13 of Riding Home

He scowled.“So, you’d rather be with some biker than give us another chance?”

Anger surged.“Just like you chose your surgical assistant over me?”

“That was a misunderstanding.Now you’re with this...outlaw?It’s beneath you, Aurora.”

“Don’t judge me,” I warned.

He sneered.“Look at him—leather jacket, tattoos.Is that who you want?”

Before I could respond, Clark appeared.“Everything okay here?”

Chapter 6

Mark turned to face him.“This doesn’t concern you,” he said coldly.

Clark remained calm.“If it involves Aurora, it concerns me.”

Mark sneered.“Do you even know anything about her?”

“Mark, stop it,” I demanded, stepping between them.

He ignored me, glaring at Clark.“People like you think you can waltz in and—”

Clark’s eyes narrowed.“I’d watch your mouth.”

“Or what?”Mark challenged.“You’ll cause a scene?Go ahead.”

“Both of you, please—”

But Mark pressed on.“You’re nothing but a low-life thug.You don’t belong here.”

In a flash, Clark’s fist connected with Mark’s jaw.Mark stumbled back, shock contorting his features.

“Clark!”I exclaimed, grabbing his arm.

Mark straightened, wiping blood from his mouth.“You’ll regret that,” he hissed.

“Consider that a warning,” Clark replied.“Disrespect her again, and it’ll be worse.”

Mark glared at me.“I can’t believe you’d choose him over me.”

“Mark, you need to leave,” I said firmly.

He shook his head before storming out, the door slamming behind him.

I released a shaky breath.“That escalated quickly,” I murmured.

Clark looked at me.“Are you okay?”

“I should ask you that,” I replied.

He shrugged.“I’m fine.He had it coming.”

“Maybe, but now there’ll be questions,” I said, glancing toward the dining room.

As if on cue, my mother appeared, eyes wide.“What happened?We heard a noise.”

I forced a smile.“Everything’s fine, Mom.Mark had to leave unexpectedly.”

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